Former Bush administration official charged with sexual assault

A lobbyist and former George W. Bush administration official was arrested and charged with sexual battery in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a woman that began outside a Bailey’s Crossroads clothing store.

Fairfax County police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Sloan Wilson Rappoport, 44, of Arlington in connection with the Jan. 31 incident.

The female victim in the case told police she was shopping at a Ross clothing store when a man approached her and they had a friendly conversation in Spanish.

As she left the store, the same man pulled his silver Mercedes Benz alongside her and asked her to get in, police said. She entered the car, and the driver locked the doors and drove to a nearby location where he sexually assaulted her.

The 28-year-old woman escaped and ran.

Mr. Rappoport, who was arrested Tuesday night, is listed as vice president of the government relations firm Downey McGrath Group Inc. A biography posted on the lobbyist group’s website states that prior to joining the group Mr. Rappoport served as a senior policy adviser to Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans during the Bush administration.

Police charged Mr. Rappoport with abduction, sexual battery and simulated masturbation, according to Fairfax County court records. He was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday and was slated to have a preliminary hearing in June.

A lawyer listed in court records as representing Mr. Rappoport could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.